Cigarette lighter



Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT UFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to cigarette lighters and particularly to those ofthe catalytic type. The invention is particularly applicable to lightersin which a mass of catalytic material supplies of itself the heat forigniting a cigarette.

Lighters of this type are known in which the catalyst in the form of ablock is arranged in the path of vapors escaping from a body of easilyvaporizable fluid. These lighters have several disadvantages. Because ofthe highly compressed nature of the block, it is either necessary toform a large number of perforations therein; as otherwise only a smallportion of the catalytic material is contacted by the vaporized fuel.Further, such blocks are relatively fragile, and often break since thecigarette comes into direct contact therewith.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an arrangement in whichthe catalytic material is held in a very strong and solid position, andyet is provided in the form of broken portions or lumps so that thevaporized fluid can pass through the mass and contact with all partsthereof. A

A further object is to arrange this material in such a manner that it isthoroughly insulated from the casing of the lighter.

Another object of the invention is to arrange the device in such afashion that the lighter is filled with fuel by separating the catalyticmass and the fuel chamber. For this purpose the, catalytic mass ismounted in a holder which slides over the end of the fuel chamber andthe lower end of the fuel chamber is closed. By this arrangement thereis no danger of flooding and poisoning the catalyst with liquid fuelwhen the lighter is filled.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a cover for thecasing which is spaced from the upper portion thereof, which carries thecatalytic mass, and thereby is insulated to prevent the conduction ofheat to the hands of the user.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear more fullyfrom the following description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing which forms a part thereof.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows my lighter in side elevation in the position of use withthe cover removed.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view in perspective of the lighter parts.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the lighter in closed position.

Fig'. 4 is an enlarged cross section through the catalytic portion.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 of a second form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a similar view of a further modification.

Referring to the drawing, the lighter has a hollow base 2, the upperportion of which is cylindrical while the lower portion tapersoutwardly. Slidable Within this base is the fuel chamber or cylinder 4,this chamber tting into the base and being limited in its inwardmovement by a shoulder I 0. A second shoulder 6 is small enough to passinto and lit tightly within the base 2, so that the cylinder is heldfirmly in the base. The catalyst is mounted in a holder 8 which isslidable on the upper or open end of the fuel chamber 4, but limited inits inward movement by shoulder I0. The lower end of the fuel chamber isclosed as at I2, and the chamber is filled with a suitable absorbentmaterial such as cotton at I4.

The catalytic mass consists of lumps of catalytic material, such asplatinum black admixed with clay, fullers earth or the like, shown atIB. This material is arranged between upper and lower perforated discsof mica I8 and 20. Obviously, the lumps must be of such size that theywill not pass through the perforations in the discs. The discs I8 and 20are spaced by two rings of spring metal 24 which fit tightly within theholder 8 and tend to spring outwardly against the wall of the holder.The discs are further held in place by an inwardly turned flange 2Baround the upper end of the holder and a third spring metal ring 28below the lower disc 20.

The lighter is closed by a cover 30 whose inside diameter is slightlylarger than the outside diameter of the holder 8. This cover issubstantially as long as the fuel chamber 4 and its lower end litsslidably on the top portion of the base 2. The cover is thus heldrigidly with respect to the holder 8 leaving a slight space 32therebetween.

The holder 8 may be provided with an inwardly depressed portion 34 tocause it to grip the fuel cylinder more securely.

The operation of lighters of this type is well known and it is notbelieved that any description thereof will be necessary. Because of thebroken nature of the catalytic material, the vaporized fuel contactsvery thoroughly with the catalyst. This insures eicient operation. Thecatalytic material is held in place by the mica which will not conductthe heat and thus prevents the loss of heat to the body of the lighter.The catalyst therefore reaches the required degree of heat more quicklyand the use of the lighter requires Vpractically no delay to wait forthe catalyst to heat up. Furthermore, this mica is a strong and usefulconstruction and Y:is a much moresatisfactoryV arrangementthan the useof thin wires as has been proposed heretofore.

The cover 3U is in substantially insulated relation to the body of thelighter and thereforeV any heat which may by chance reach the body isnot transmitted to the cover. It is only at the bottom` of the fuelchamberthat there is any conduction of heat and this will be relativelyslight. c v Y As it is necessary to remove the holder 8 in order to llthe lighter, the catalytic material is removed When the lighter is to befilled. There is therefore no danger of flooding the catalytic Vmasswith fuel and therebypoisoning the same whenthe lighter is filled. Thisdisadvantage has been a rather serious one in lighters filled from thebottom. It will be obvious that the same result might be accomplishedeven if Vthe bottom ofthe fuel cylinder wereopen, as Vthe holder 8 willseparate from the cylinder 4 more easily than the base 2. Therefore, ifthe base and holder are pulled apart, the catalyst will be separatedfrom the fuel chamber. The essence of this part Y of my invention, then,is that the easiest mode of access tothe fuel chamber is by removal ofthe catalyst. v Y, Y It is obvious that my invention can be embodied in,other modifications. In the form shown in Fig. 5, the' holder 8 isprovided withan upper disc'of Ymica i8. The catalyst i6' is` held inVplace by a cup 36 of metal provided with perforations 38. This cup isprovided around its l upper edge with a flange 40 and is held in placein spaced relation by spaced posts 46 leaving therebetween elongatedopenings 48. The lower disc is held in position by a ring 28, The wallVof the Vholder between the rings 44 is provided with Vperforations 5Uto admit air into contact `with the catalytic mass. Y

While 1 have described herein some embodiments of my invention, I wishit to be under-Y stood that I do not intend to limit myself therebyVVexcept within Vthe scope of the appended claim;

`Iclaim:VA "j Y n g y VYIny a lighter, a base,`a member having a fuelchamber therein telescoping with said base, said member being closed atits lower end, frictional means to hold saidfmemberV and base together,a holder having a plurality of perforations in the walls thereof, saidholder telescoping with the other end of said member, friction means tohold said holder and member together, said rst 30 Ymeans holding moretightly than said second means, catalytic material supported in saidholder and having at least a portion thereof below said perforations.V

' IRVING FLORMAN.Y

